As part of the trade, the Nuggets will send a protected first-round pick in 2029 to OKC. In exchange, they are receiving the 37th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Thunder’s less-favorable first-round selection in 2024, and a 2024 second-rounder.

The Thunder could have four first-round picks in the 2024 Draft, including their own, top 4-protected from Houston Rockets, unprotected from the LA Clippers, and top 10-protected from the Utah Jazz. 

Denver’s motivation for the trade is clear. They are trying to get some draft assets that they can use to add young players on cheap contracts or use in trades. Nuggets’ championship is wide open and is expected to remain so in the next few years, so general manager Calvin Booth wants to maximize his team’s opportunities.

OKC, on the other hand, hopes that the Nuggets will fall off a cliff towards the end of the decade, giving them a valuable selection. OKC already owns Denver’s Top-5 protected first-round pick in 2027, which they received as part of the JaMychal Green trade. They currently have 15 first-round picks, including their own and those acquired in trades, through 2029.

The post Nuggets and OKC Swap Picks in a Rare NBA Finals Trade appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Following an unsuccessful stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook endured heavy criticism, with some even going as far as saying he doesn’t belong in the league anymore. However, after leaving the Lakers, Westbrook found his groove with the LA Clippers and is once again playing at a high level.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, after his Phoenix Suns got a 112-100 win over Westbrook’s Clippers in Game 4 of the first-round series, Durant took issue with past criticism of Westbrook and praised him for being “resilient.”

“People going to always criticize when you’re successful and doing your thing for this long,” Durant said. “Russ has been resilient his whole life. He comes to work, and doesn’t say much. Just come hoop.”

Durant explained that people would only realize how good Westbrook was once he retires.

“When he retires, people are going to really tell the truth about his game,” he added. “Right now, the fun thing to do is to make a joke out of Russ. But the way he’s been playing since he got with the Clippers is showing everybody who he really is.”

Durant has been able to witness up close that Westbrook can still ball out. Despite playing without his co-stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who are out due to injuries, Westbrook has kept the Clippers competitive against a star-studded Phoenix Suns team. He has been averaging 26.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game while being a menace on the defense.

However, despite Wesbtrook’s best efforts, the Clippers find themselves on the brink of elimination. The Suns have a 3-1 lead in the series and will look to finish the job in Game 5 in Phoenix on Tuesday.

The post Kevin Durant Defends Ex-OKC Teammate Russell Westbrook After Suns’ Game 4 Win appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to Thunder’s press release, Harkless and a 2029 second-rounder are arriving in OKC from Atlanta, while sophomore point guard Vit Krejci is heading in the opposite direction.

According to ESPN’s salary cap expert Bobby Marks, Oklahoma City will absorb Harkless’ salary of $4.5 million into the $4.9 million Disabled Player Exception they received as a result of rookie Chet Holmgren’s season-ending injury. The move also allowed the Hawks to get under the luxury tax.

Maurice Harkless actually never put on the Hawks’ jersey, being traded to Atlanta in July as part of the deal that sent Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings. Harkless spent the previous two seasons with the Kings and made 44 starts. He also played with the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers, among other teams. His NBA career stats include 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Vit Krejci, who was the 37th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is coming off his first season in the NBA. He played 30 games in 2021-22, averaging 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

The post OCK Thunder Acquire Maurice Harkless from Hawks appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

OKC’s general manager Sam Presti confirmed the news via a statement issued on Thursday, saying that the organization is convinced Holmgren will bounce back from the injury and have a “long career” with the Thunder.

“One of the things that most impressed us during the process of selecting Chet was his determination and focus,” said Presti. “We expect that same tenacity will carry him through this period of time as we work together and support him during his rehabilitation.”

Holmgren got injured while defending the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James during a CrawsOver Pro-Am. The Gonzaga product consulted various foot specialists in recent days before he and the Thunder decided on the surgery. The procedure is expected to take place “in the coming weeks.”

Chet Holmgren averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks during his lone season with the Bulldogs. He was taken second overall by the Thunder despite having Jabari Smith Jr., the projected first overall pick, being overlooked by the Orlando Magic, who held the No. 1 selection.

Holmgren played five games for OKC during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds while showing some exciting defensive abilities.

The post OKC’s Chet Holmgren, No. 2 Pick in 2022 Draft, Suffers Season-Ending Foot Injury appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news was confirmed to Shams Charania of The Athletic by Green’s agent Michael Hodges.

Green was traded to the Thunder by the Denver Nuggets, who sent him and the protected first-rounder to Oklahoma City in exchange for rookie Peyton Watson and two second-rounders. He was set to earn $8.2 million in 2022-23.

The 32-year-old player should provide a quality bench option for the Warriors, especially after the team lost several players in free agency. He played 67 games in 2021-22 and averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. His NBA career totals include 7.9 points and 5.7 boards with the San Antonio Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies, the LA Clippers, and the Nuggets. 

The Thunder, on the other hand, never intended to keep Green on board. He is a player more fitting for a playoff contender, and the Thunder are still going through a rebuild and want to keep their young players on the floor as much as possible.

The post JaMychal Green Intends to Sign With the Warriors After OKC Buyout appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to OKC’s official announcement, the team will offer an update on Hill’s condition after he gets re-evaluated in four weeks.

Hill landed in Oklahoma City this offseason as part of the trade that sent center Steven Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans. Up until this point, he’s been performing well for the Thunder, averaging 11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists to start the 2020-21 season. He’s also provided mentorship for the team’s young guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stepping into the role that Chris Paul had last season.

With George Hill out of the lineup, OKC is now expected to have a full-on youth movement in their backcourt. The rookie Theo Maledon should start alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, as he has been filling in for Hill in the past.

Maledon, Thunder’s second-round pick in 2020, is enjoying a promising rookie campaign, averaging 7.5 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, currently on a two-game losing streak, are No. 12 in the Western Conference and have an 8-11 record.

The post OKC Veteran George Hill Undergoes Thumb Procedure appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Although Paul has never won a title, he’s transformed all of his teams into playoff contenders, from the New Orleans Hornets (when they were called that), to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. After joining the Phoenix Suns over the offseason, most people expected him to turn the Phoenix Suns around as well.

That’s exactly what he started to do, and the Suns actually did pretty well during the beginning of the season. But as they got closer to the 20-game mark, it was clear that there were some issues that needed addressing. After blowing a 15-lead against the Thunder earlier this week, only to lose 97-102, Paul had this to say after the game:

“We’re not playing well enough right now,” Paul told reporters. “I’m not going to say we’re not good enough, but we’re not playing well enough right now.”

Knowing Paul, he’s not saying this to be petty or spiteful. On the contrary, his goal has always been to elevate his teammates and make them better. We wouldn’t be surprised if they turn a corner for the better because of this.

The post Chris Paul Declares That His Suns Aren’t Playing Well Enough Right Now appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The trade follows the pattern of Thunder’s dealings this offseason, which saw them continuously trade players for draft picks and players that they then flip for more picks. These kinds of moves have now secured OKC 16 first-round picks by 2027.

According to Wojnarowski, the pick that Thunder received from the Warriors will convey if Golden State finishes between No. 21 and No. 30 in the standings in 2020/21. In case they are positioned better, OKC will receive two second-rounders instead.

Oubre, who averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds last season, was monitored by the Warriors even while he was with the Suns. However, his trade to Thunder, who are in the rebuilding process, made him more acquirable, and Golden State jumped on the opportunity.

Considering that Golden State Warriors just lost All-Star Klay Thompson to an Achilles injury, the acquisition of Kelly Oubre might have an even bigger impact. Athletic wing with a solid outside shot, Oubre could fill the void and maybe even help the Warriors to get back to contention after a disappointing 2019/20 campaign.

The post Warriors Finalizing a Trade for Kelly Oubre Jr. with Thunder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Paul was essential to the Thunder being awarded fifth-seeded in the Western Conference last season. He averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and five rebounds in 31.5 minutes per game. At 35 years of age, Paul is expected to provide much guidance to up and coming stars such as Devin Booker.

Paul is not the only target who found his way into the Suns’ crosshairs this offseason. Th team also made a largescale trade for Paul and Abdel Nader, luring them in from OKC in exchange for Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, and Ty Jerome as well as their 2022 first-round pick.

The Suns have placed a large emphasis on reeling in new talents this season to bolster their squad in an effort to improve on their previous season’s finish. In 2019-20, the Arizona-based side narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, which would have marked their first appearance since making the conference finals in 2010.

The post Chris Paul Lured to Phoenix Sons in Groundbreaking Trade appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are close to finalizing a deal with Oklahoma City Thunder that would see them acquire guard Dennis Schroder. In return, Thunder will receive the Lakers’ No. 28 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and forward Danny Green.

The deal is expected to be official on Wednesday when the NBA opens the transaction window.

Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers won’t be able to send the No. 28 pick to Thunder right away. They previously traded away their pick in 2019, and the league forbids teams to deal picks in consecutive years.

The most likely solution will be Thunder communicating to the Lakers and telling them which player to choose, with the Lakers later sending that player to OKC after they sign him to a rookie deal.

Dennis Schroder was pursued by several teams this offseason after he delivered a promising campaign in 2019/20 coming off the bench for Thunder. The 27-year-old player ended up averaging 18.9 points and 4.0 assists per game and finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Lakers were on the market for a point guard for the better part of the offseason, looking to fix their depth on the position. They are likely to lose Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley in the offseason, which would leave them with Alex Caruso as the only viable option on the position.

By trading for Schroder, the Lakers now get a player who can not only make up for Rondo and Bradley’s absence, but would probably start over them if they stay. 

The post Lakers Set to Acquire Dennis Schroder from OKC appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

As part of the trade, the Nuggets will send a protected first-round pick in 2029 to OKC. In exchange, they are receiving the 37th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Thunder’s less-favorable first-round selection in 2024, and a 2024 second-rounder.

The Thunder could have four first-round picks in the 2024 Draft, including their own, top 4-protected from Houston Rockets, unprotected from the LA Clippers, and top 10-protected from the Utah Jazz. 

Denver’s motivation for the trade is clear. They are trying to get some draft assets that they can use to add young players on cheap contracts or use in trades. Nuggets’ championship is wide open and is expected to remain so in the next few years, so general manager Calvin Booth wants to maximize his team’s opportunities.

OKC, on the other hand, hopes that the Nuggets will fall off a cliff towards the end of the decade, giving them a valuable selection. OKC already owns Denver’s Top-5 protected first-round pick in 2027, which they received as part of the JaMychal Green trade. They currently have 15 first-round picks, including their own and those acquired in trades, through 2029.

The post Nuggets and OKC Swap Picks in a Rare NBA Finals Trade appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Following an unsuccessful stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook endured heavy criticism, with some even going as far as saying he doesn’t belong in the league anymore. However, after leaving the Lakers, Westbrook found his groove with the LA Clippers and is once again playing at a high level.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, after his Phoenix Suns got a 112-100 win over Westbrook’s Clippers in Game 4 of the first-round series, Durant took issue with past criticism of Westbrook and praised him for being “resilient.”

“People going to always criticize when you’re successful and doing your thing for this long,” Durant said. “Russ has been resilient his whole life. He comes to work, and doesn’t say much. Just come hoop.”

Durant explained that people would only realize how good Westbrook was once he retires.

“When he retires, people are going to really tell the truth about his game,” he added. “Right now, the fun thing to do is to make a joke out of Russ. But the way he’s been playing since he got with the Clippers is showing everybody who he really is.”

Durant has been able to witness up close that Westbrook can still ball out. Despite playing without his co-stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who are out due to injuries, Westbrook has kept the Clippers competitive against a star-studded Phoenix Suns team. He has been averaging 26.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game while being a menace on the defense.

However, despite Wesbtrook’s best efforts, the Clippers find themselves on the brink of elimination. The Suns have a 3-1 lead in the series and will look to finish the job in Game 5 in Phoenix on Tuesday.

The post Kevin Durant Defends Ex-OKC Teammate Russell Westbrook After Suns’ Game 4 Win appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to Thunder’s press release, Harkless and a 2029 second-rounder are arriving in OKC from Atlanta, while sophomore point guard Vit Krejci is heading in the opposite direction.

According to ESPN’s salary cap expert Bobby Marks, Oklahoma City will absorb Harkless’ salary of $4.5 million into the $4.9 million Disabled Player Exception they received as a result of rookie Chet Holmgren’s season-ending injury. The move also allowed the Hawks to get under the luxury tax.

Maurice Harkless actually never put on the Hawks’ jersey, being traded to Atlanta in July as part of the deal that sent Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings. Harkless spent the previous two seasons with the Kings and made 44 starts. He also played with the Orlando Magic and the Portland Trail Blazers, among other teams. His NBA career stats include 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Vit Krejci, who was the 37th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is coming off his first season in the NBA. He played 30 games in 2021-22, averaging 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

The post OCK Thunder Acquire Maurice Harkless from Hawks appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

OKC’s general manager Sam Presti confirmed the news via a statement issued on Thursday, saying that the organization is convinced Holmgren will bounce back from the injury and have a “long career” with the Thunder.

“One of the things that most impressed us during the process of selecting Chet was his determination and focus,” said Presti. “We expect that same tenacity will carry him through this period of time as we work together and support him during his rehabilitation.”

Holmgren got injured while defending the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James during a CrawsOver Pro-Am. The Gonzaga product consulted various foot specialists in recent days before he and the Thunder decided on the surgery. The procedure is expected to take place “in the coming weeks.”

Chet Holmgren averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks during his lone season with the Bulldogs. He was taken second overall by the Thunder despite having Jabari Smith Jr., the projected first overall pick, being overlooked by the Orlando Magic, who held the No. 1 selection.

Holmgren played five games for OKC during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds while showing some exciting defensive abilities.

The post OKC’s Chet Holmgren, No. 2 Pick in 2022 Draft, Suffers Season-Ending Foot Injury appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news was confirmed to Shams Charania of The Athletic by Green’s agent Michael Hodges.

Green was traded to the Thunder by the Denver Nuggets, who sent him and the protected first-rounder to Oklahoma City in exchange for rookie Peyton Watson and two second-rounders. He was set to earn $8.2 million in 2022-23.

The 32-year-old player should provide a quality bench option for the Warriors, especially after the team lost several players in free agency. He played 67 games in 2021-22 and averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. His NBA career totals include 7.9 points and 5.7 boards with the San Antonio Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies, the LA Clippers, and the Nuggets. 

The Thunder, on the other hand, never intended to keep Green on board. He is a player more fitting for a playoff contender, and the Thunder are still going through a rebuild and want to keep their young players on the floor as much as possible.

The post JaMychal Green Intends to Sign With the Warriors After OKC Buyout appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to OKC’s official announcement, the team will offer an update on Hill’s condition after he gets re-evaluated in four weeks.

Hill landed in Oklahoma City this offseason as part of the trade that sent center Steven Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans. Up until this point, he’s been performing well for the Thunder, averaging 11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists to start the 2020-21 season. He’s also provided mentorship for the team’s young guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stepping into the role that Chris Paul had last season.

With George Hill out of the lineup, OKC is now expected to have a full-on youth movement in their backcourt. The rookie Theo Maledon should start alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, as he has been filling in for Hill in the past.

Maledon, Thunder’s second-round pick in 2020, is enjoying a promising rookie campaign, averaging 7.5 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, currently on a two-game losing streak, are No. 12 in the Western Conference and have an 8-11 record.

The post OKC Veteran George Hill Undergoes Thumb Procedure appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Although Paul has never won a title, he’s transformed all of his teams into playoff contenders, from the New Orleans Hornets (when they were called that), to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. After joining the Phoenix Suns over the offseason, most people expected him to turn the Phoenix Suns around as well.

That’s exactly what he started to do, and the Suns actually did pretty well during the beginning of the season. But as they got closer to the 20-game mark, it was clear that there were some issues that needed addressing. After blowing a 15-lead against the Thunder earlier this week, only to lose 97-102, Paul had this to say after the game:

“We’re not playing well enough right now,” Paul told reporters. “I’m not going to say we’re not good enough, but we’re not playing well enough right now.”

Knowing Paul, he’s not saying this to be petty or spiteful. On the contrary, his goal has always been to elevate his teammates and make them better. We wouldn’t be surprised if they turn a corner for the better because of this.

The post Chris Paul Declares That His Suns Aren’t Playing Well Enough Right Now appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The trade follows the pattern of Thunder’s dealings this offseason, which saw them continuously trade players for draft picks and players that they then flip for more picks. These kinds of moves have now secured OKC 16 first-round picks by 2027.

According to Wojnarowski, the pick that Thunder received from the Warriors will convey if Golden State finishes between No. 21 and No. 30 in the standings in 2020/21. In case they are positioned better, OKC will receive two second-rounders instead.

Oubre, who averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds last season, was monitored by the Warriors even while he was with the Suns. However, his trade to Thunder, who are in the rebuilding process, made him more acquirable, and Golden State jumped on the opportunity.

Considering that Golden State Warriors just lost All-Star Klay Thompson to an Achilles injury, the acquisition of Kelly Oubre might have an even bigger impact. Athletic wing with a solid outside shot, Oubre could fill the void and maybe even help the Warriors to get back to contention after a disappointing 2019/20 campaign.

The post Warriors Finalizing a Trade for Kelly Oubre Jr. with Thunder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Paul was essential to the Thunder being awarded fifth-seeded in the Western Conference last season. He averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and five rebounds in 31.5 minutes per game. At 35 years of age, Paul is expected to provide much guidance to up and coming stars such as Devin Booker.

Paul is not the only target who found his way into the Suns’ crosshairs this offseason. Th team also made a largescale trade for Paul and Abdel Nader, luring them in from OKC in exchange for Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, and Ty Jerome as well as their 2022 first-round pick.

The Suns have placed a large emphasis on reeling in new talents this season to bolster their squad in an effort to improve on their previous season’s finish. In 2019-20, the Arizona-based side narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, which would have marked their first appearance since making the conference finals in 2010.

The post Chris Paul Lured to Phoenix Sons in Groundbreaking Trade appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are close to finalizing a deal with Oklahoma City Thunder that would see them acquire guard Dennis Schroder. In return, Thunder will receive the Lakers’ No. 28 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and forward Danny Green.

The deal is expected to be official on Wednesday when the NBA opens the transaction window.

Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers won’t be able to send the No. 28 pick to Thunder right away. They previously traded away their pick in 2019, and the league forbids teams to deal picks in consecutive years.

The most likely solution will be Thunder communicating to the Lakers and telling them which player to choose, with the Lakers later sending that player to OKC after they sign him to a rookie deal.

Dennis Schroder was pursued by several teams this offseason after he delivered a promising campaign in 2019/20 coming off the bench for Thunder. The 27-year-old player ended up averaging 18.9 points and 4.0 assists per game and finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Lakers were on the market for a point guard for the better part of the offseason, looking to fix their depth on the position. They are likely to lose Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley in the offseason, which would leave them with Alex Caruso as the only viable option on the position.

By trading for Schroder, the Lakers now get a player who can not only make up for Rondo and Bradley’s absence, but would probably start over them if they stay. 

The post Lakers Set to Acquire Dennis Schroder from OKC appeared first on yoursportspot.com.